Several celebrated football stars have never finished in the top three of the Ballon d’Or, the annual award that recognises the world’s best players. Despite their stellar careers, none of the players highlighted in this list have achieved a podium finish in the competition.
Among those mentioned are Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba and Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. Each of these players has enjoyed a highly successful career at club and international level, yet the Ballon d’Or top three has remained out of reach.
The Ballon d’Or, awarded by the French magazine France Football, is one of the most prestigious individual honours in football. It is presented annually to the player judged to be the best in the world, with a shortlist of nominees and a final ranking of first, second and third places.
While Salah, Drogba and Suarez have all earned acclaim for their performances, the award’s competitive nature means that even the most accomplished players can miss out on a top‑three finish. Their omission underscores how difficult it is to secure a place among the sport’s elite.
Ultimately, the list serves as a reminder that the Ballon d’Or is a highly selective accolade, and that even the most celebrated footballers may not see it on their résumé.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
